Feed Thy Neighbor Founder Tony Mansolillo Remembered for Legacy of Giving

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. — The kitchen at Feed Thy Neighbor is still busy.

Meals are still being prepared. Volunteers are still showing up. And families across Southwest Florida are still receiving help.

For the family of founder Tony Mansolillo, that's exactly how he would have wanted it.

Mansolillo, who founded Feed Thy Neighbor during the COVID-19 pandemic, died June 12 after what his family described as a long battle with illness. He was 80 years old.

While many knew him as the founder of a nonprofit that now serves hundreds of meals a day, those closest to him say his generosity extended far beyond the kitchen.

"He saw a need and he just responded to it," said his son, Vincent Mansolillo.

According to Vincent, Feed Thy Neighbor began after Tony learned about a mother and child living in a car during the pandemic. Tony bought them food. Then more people reached out for help.

What started as a simple act of kindness quickly grew.

"We actually did it out of our house for two years, I think, and went all the way up to 300 meals a day, having volunteers deliver them," Vincent said.

Today, Feed Thy Neighbor provides an average of more than 300 meals each day throughout Lee and Collier counties. In recent years, the nonprofit has expanded beyond food, providing clothing, blankets, diapers, backpacks, Christmas toys and other necessities to families in need.

For longtime family friend Theodora Rozes, Tony's impact was personal.

"I was privileged to meet Tony as a young girl, probably about 20 years old, and right away we clicked," Rozes said. "He actually believed in me when no one else did, including myself."

Rozes and her husband knew Tony for more than two decades after first meeting him in Rhode Island. She said he encouraged them to move to Florida, promising he would help them succeed.

"He believed in everybody," Rozes said. "Tony gave everyone a fair shake. He was just the kindest soul you'd ever meet."

His children say that same generosity defined nearly every aspect of his life.

"Dad was Italian American and the whole world knew it," said his daughter, Melissa Singer. "He loved his culture. It was all about food and family."

Family dinners often reflected that philosophy.

"When we had dinner, he would set an extra place at the table because somebody might show up during the meal," Vincent recalled. "That's the God's honest truth. He really did that."

Those closest to him say Feed Thy Neighbor became the perfect outlet for the things Tony loved most: food, family and helping others.

Rozes described him as a "big Santa Claus" who especially loved helping children.

"He got to feed the children, buy toys for the children, and he loved that," she said.

Even after Tony's death, his family says the nonprofit is continuing to grow.

Plans are underway to expand partnerships across Southwest Florida, including a new food pantry that will be named "Papa Tony's Pantry" in his honor.

The organization is also searching for a kitchen in Naples to expand services in Collier County.

"I am currently looking for a relationship with a kitchen in Naples, and that is so important," Vincent said. "There are so many people in need in Naples, and we don't have a place to cook there."

The family says continuing the nonprofit's work is the best way to honor Tony's memory.

"We'll do it in his memory and in his honor," Melissa said.

According to Feed Thy Neighbor, donations can be made to support its mission of providing meals and other necessities to families in need. The organization also welcomes volunteers and community partners interested in helping expand its reach throughout Southwest Florida.

Those seeking assistance or looking to support the nonprofit can find more information at feedthyneighbor.us.